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From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
The Archbishop, Methodist Archdiocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Christopher Edeh has lauded the Federal Government and communication giant, MTN Communications Nigeria PLC, for the temporary opening of the partially/completed sections of the Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway for ease of traffic during the yuletide.
Edeh who spoke at Ugwu Onyeama, Enugu end of the road during the temporary opening of about 18km stretch in Enugu that have been completed, however, warned that the masses would not accept any abandonment of the road after the festive season was over.
Noting the importance of the dual carriageway, the cleric commended MTN for it’s intervention through the arrangement with federal government and the construction company handling the project, RCC for the quality of the work.
He said, “Let me thank all of you on behalf of the masses, we are extremely grateful that this is happening because this road is critical to peoples safety this season and we are so grateful that you can open up this road for people to use it.
“I want to testify that the quality of this road is amazing because I was passing here when it was being built, the quality of the road is great so I thank the Federal Ministry of Works. The Governor is a doing person, he doesn’t talk much, Commissioner thank him for me, we are impressed at the work he is doing.
“I want to please say finally on behalf of the masses, that you don’t abandon this work after this temporary opening. Because this is what government does, they will do this special opening, take photographs and go and at the end everything goes back again to the status quo.
“I will go on radio and television and shout, I am with the masses I talk against it because you can’t bring me here, take photographs and video only to open the thing temporary and close it permanently please.”
Earlier in his speech during the joint press conference by MTN and the Federal Road Safety Corp, the MTN Enterprise Manager, Enugu Region, Chinenye Mouneke, said that the MTN was excited in partnering with the federal government deliver the road and assure that the entire road would be completed within the project period.
He said, “The MTN Community Liaison Initiative model began when in late October 2023 when MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN) appointed Crown Crest Global Engineers Ltd (CCGE) as the Community Liaison Manager (Consultants) of the RITC Project which involves the repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the 107km x 2 Onitsha – Enugu Dual Carriageway.
“This particular CLI is a baby of MTN Communications Nigeria Ltd, and its major function is to assess the impact of the road rehabilitation exercise on the people and communities along the work corridor and see how the experience can be mutually beneficial to all the stakeholders involved and affected by the road rehabilitation work. The CLI team will constantly interface with both stakeholders and project implementation team.
“The decision to embark on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Enugu – Onitsha dual carriageway by MTN communications Nigeria Ltd is perhaps her greatest public relations coup the history of the company. Before now, the road which links states in the South South to the Southeast and the Middle Belt States has been an eyesore for several years. And not even the best intentions from successive governments have been of any appreciable help until MTN arrived on the scene
“Now, Christmas times are special times for the average South Easterner, but the sad state of her roads have discouraged many from embarking on this annual ritual. However, with the present state of the Enugu – Onitsha Road after the MTN intervention, many people will gladly make the trip home this year; with vehicular and human traffic from the Onitsha bridge down to the Abakpa 82 division end of the road expected to be heavy and traffic control very hectic. However, the opening of some partially completed sections of the dual carriageway to ameliorate the anticipated traffic logjam on the road is expected to make the drive through a whole lot easier and better, which is why the theme for the press conference is SAFER ROAD, FULLER LIFE. BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAYS.
“While the benefits of this current project are obvious and will be obvious to the members of the public when they commence driving on it tomorrow. Mtn and the Federal Government are committed to delivering critical infrastructure. We understand the regional and national economic benefits of well-performing transport corridors. We will be giving priority to projects that will stimulate economic growth to our major regions and to the national economy to offer considerable number of safety and social benefits.”
Others who spoke included the Enugu State Commissioner for Works, Gerald Otiji; Zonal Commander FRSC, Assistant Corp Marshal O.I. Ameh and the representative of MTN Community Liaison Initiative Model (Crown Crest Global Engineers (CCGE).
MTN also donated large number of road safety caution items to the FRSC.
